Page 43 of Dark Auctioned Mate

“Which is why you need me. I do not belong to the political system of the pack. I am an outsider who decided to come with you. That must count for something.”

Rael stared at the determined look on her face. She had a point. It may be of benefit to have a person who was not a member of the pack and had no reason to lie to go with him. But that did not mean it was safe.

“These packs may be our friends, but they are anxious, and anxious men are erratic. Unsafe. I cannot assure you of your safety.”

“You can spare me your assurance of my safety. I can manage myself just fine.”

“No, I do not think you understand. This is pack politics, Alanis. It’s complicated and volatile and—”

“And you think I will be a liability,” her voice turned harsh. “Say it, Rael. You do not believe I can handle it.”

“I never said that.”

“But it’s what you meant.” Her eyes flashed with hurt and anger. “You suppose because I cannot shift, I will be dead weight on this trip.”

“No,” Rael said softly, walking closer. “I know you are strong, but I know these packs too. I know how they think. With you around…it might complicate matters.”

“Or it might not. You must prove that you’re not running the trafficking network, right? Well, I am living evidence. I was at the very auction, Rael. I was almost sold off, but you purchased me to save me. I can testify to that.”

Rael’s jaw clenched. Damn it, she was right. Her testimony would be quite effective. But the idea of taking her into a world full of hostility, of subjecting her to danger.”

“It is not just about the negotiations,” Alanis searched his eyes. “If you find leads on the network, and there is an opportunity to save more lives, to save more victims, I must be there. The last time you freed those women, we just let them to go with no assistance, no resources, no plan of what to do next. That is not good enough, Rael. These women should be properly taken care of.”

Rael exhaled sharply. Fuck, she was saying all the right things. They had been so preoccupied with the immediate rescue that they had not thought of what followed. Where did those women go? What did they do to rebuild their lives? And were they safe, or were they in no better places than that?

“You’re right,” he admitted. “We could have done better.”

“Exactly. So let me come. Let me help make sure that we do this right.”

Rael looked at her set jaw and glanced down at the packed bags. He could order her to stay, pull rank, and keep her in his pack—where it was safe.

But that would spoil what was bubbling between them. It would show that he did not trust her or regard her as his mate and wife.

And there was the fact that she was correct. She could help. Her presence could boost their argument about the pack and help any victims they might meet because she was also one of them. He just wished it didn’t frighten him so much.

“Alright,” he said at last. “You may come. But you will do this my way. You will follow my lead, don’t go anywhere without me, and—”

“I am no dummy, Rael. I understand.”

“Okay,” he sighed deeply. “We leave at dawn. It will be at least a week, maybe more. August is coming too.”

“I’m ready.” She gestured to the bags. “I have packed our bags for two weeks.” She shrugged. “Just in case.”

Of course she did. She thought of everything.

Rael pulled her into his arms, needing to feel her against him. “I will be worried about you all the time.”

Resting her head against his chest, she murmured, “I will be fine.”

“Yes, I know,” he kissed the top of her head.

She pulled back and looked at him with a small smile. “I will be fine, Rael. I promise.”

“You better be. If anything happens to you…” He could not complete that sentence. The thought of anything happening to Alanis ripped his heart apart.

“Nothing will happen. We will go, vindicate your pack, and we will return. Together.”

Rael wanted to believe her. He hoped that this would be an easy task and that they would give their evidence, and all would be well.